by Donald Wood
Last updated: 4:00 AM ET, Thu April 14, 2016
In preparation for President Barack Obama's to the Middle East, the United States Department of State has issued a travel warning for those considering a trip to Saudi Arabia.
According to the U.S. State Department's official website, the travel warning was issued due to credible threats against American citizens and other Westerners from ISIS, Al Qaeda and other terrorists groups during the president's visit to Saudi Arabia.
The report from the State Department suggests terrorists could possibly be targeting locations where westerners congregate, including housing compounds, hotels, restaurants, shopping areas, international schools and more.
In addition to travelers being warned about potential terrorist activity, officials and employees from the United States in Saudi Arabia have also been put on notice. The State Department explained the restrictions on its website:
"U.S. government personnel and their families are restricted from traveling within 50 miles of the Yemeni border, and to the cities of Jizan and Najran, without permission. U.S. government personnel are similarly prohibited from traveling to the city of Qatif in the Eastern Province and its surrounding suburbs, including Awamiyah, and to the town of Hofuf and its surrounding suburbs in the Al Hasa Governorate due to violent episodes that have occurred there in the past."
The State Department has offered advice for travelers who must visit the country, including selecting hotels or housing compounds with clear security protocols, watching local news broadcasts for updates, keeping a low profile, updating all travel documents and visas and more.
For a full list of warnings and alerts from the U.S. Department of State, check out the agency's official website.
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